The Superior times. [volume] (Superior, Wis.) 1870-1912, 1887-03-12
ALDRlCH AND HOWELLS.
Homes of Two of the Leading Writers of
the Day.


Homes of Two of the Leading Writers of
the Day.
New York Cor. Chicago Inter-Ocean.
Few authors have, perhaps, been so
misjudged from their portraits as has
Thomas Bailey Aldrich. 1t must be
confessed that not little OF this
erroneous popular belief is strength.
ened il one looks at the photograph
that is constantly put before the pub
lie. But il the print IN question gives
one such an impression, it requires
only the most casual meeting with the
man himself to instantly remove it.
1t is true that Mr.. Aldrich dresses
WEI, bus he is not inclined to foppish-
ness by any means. On the contrary,
his dress is that Ofthe gentleman, quiet,
unobtrusive and scrupulously neat.
No man Is more adverse to newspaper
talk about himself or his works than
Mr. Aldrich, and it is seldom that one
reads anything about his personnel.
To meet MIR. Aldrich is 20 meet one OF
the most entertaining and social OF
men. His disposition is kind and his
manners the same to all-pleasant
and agreeable. His only enemies are
made, as he himself says, through the
editorial pen when it is used in the
dec!inatiOn OF manuscripts sent to
him. Nine o'clock every morning
finds Mr.. Aldrich at his editorial desk in
the office OF the Atlantic Monthly. He
isa hard and steady worker, and it will
probably surprise many to know that
Mr.. Aidr.ch's position as editor is not
the easy berth commonly imagined.
He reads every line that appears 10
the Atlantic, and leaves only very lit
tie OF the proof-reading TO mis- assist.
ant. His correspondence also re-
oe.yes his personal attention, and be-
siie this work every manuscript sent
IN is read and passed upon by him.
At l O'Clock in the morning he goes
TO his home and enjoys a late break
fast with his wife, mother, and his
tao boys. who then have their college
recess. These boys, apropos, are ex
ceedlngly interesting in that they are
twins, the one bearing the most strik-
ing resemblance to the other. After
this meal Mr.. AIdrich returns to the
office, where he remains until $50,
when he goes home for the day. The au-
thorreSides on Mt. Vernon Street, in
hone of positive luxuriance and COM
fort. Everything about the house is
tasteful aud o; the richest description.
The walls are adorned with portraits
and eDgravings OF eminent writer's,
and each has fixed underneath them
some bit OF original manuscript in the
subjects autograph. Mr.. Aldrich
shares the pardonable hobby OF many
IN securing the pen tracks OF great
authors, and between this and his
large library he spends considerable
time. His mother resides with him,
and to her the son is as devotedly at
tached as she to him He is thor
oughly domestic, and finds his great
est pleasure with his family. An in
teresting occupant OF the house is a
large irish setter, who Is indeed a
most Intelligent member OF the
brute creation. He is attentive
to the wishes of his master, one
OF his favoriUe occupations being
the bringing or the laJter's slippers,
which he sets down at the feet OF his
master in perfect position for the easi-
est possible entrance. His knowledge
for all manner OF dog tricks is almost
inexhaustibie, and he delights visitors
nILA fil CAhiO-OlOu VI UilSLI- L. AL
drich's study, or ''den,' as he terms
it, is the front room Of the second
story, and from this chamber in the
house emanste those exceedingly clev-
er stories that have won for their au-
thor so large a circle OF readers and
admirers.
Speaking of Mr.. Aldrich's study re-
minds me OF peep had OF the work
ing-room of Mr.. Howells recently in
his home or Beacon Street. From
the window OF Mr.. Howells' study,
which is also on the second story of
his house, one can see the home OF
Oliver Wendell Holmes. The apart
ment where the novelist does his lit.
erary work is q large one, and precise
ly such a one as would be imagined to
belong to an author. A large flat
table stands in the center of the room,
and here Mr.. Howells works, sur
rounded on every side with books and
portraits OF celebrated people which
look down upon hun from the walls.
The novelist Is very neat, and his
table never presents an untldy ap-
pearance. His manuscript is careful
ly laid away between leather covers
In a rlght-hand drawer as soon as it
Is finished. His work is done chiefly
in the morning, and, when once
started, he writes quickly and steadily,
often filling five or six pages of note
paper, closely written without lifting
the pen for meditation. The walls OF
his house, like those of Mr.. Aldrich's s, are
all embellished with personal souve-
Mrs OF writer's and artists. On one
side on will encounter a picture made
for Mr., Howells by Alma Tadema,
warm personal friend, while on an
other the eye rests on some OF Dante
Gabriel Rossetti's pictures, or bas-
relief OF his second daughter, Mildred,
the work OF the noveiist's brother-in-
law, Larkin g, Mead, of Italy. And
thus, in whatever direction one looks
in Mr.. Howelis' parlors, there is some.
thing 20 remind you OF the many
friendships which the occupant has